Heather Thurmeier

July 5, 2013

About author, Heather Thurmeier: Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders and a reality TV junkie. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now lives in New York with her husband and kids where she’s become some kind of odd Canuck-Yankee hybrid. When she’s not busy taking care of the kids and pets, Heather’s writing her next romance, which will probably be filled with sassy heroines, sexy heroes that make your heart pound, laugh out loud moments and always a happily ever after. You can find out more about Heather and her books by checking out her website at: http://heatherthurmeier.com.

People would be surprised to know that you…: Think Hobbit feet are disgusting… No really, I do. And most people are surprised to find out that I have such an adverse reaction to them. But seriously, they’re huge, hairy and dirty. Ick. LOL. I have no idea how else to answer this question. I’m curious to know how other authors have answered this!

You knew you were a writer when…: I first tried to write a novel. It didn’t go as smoothly as I hoped it would, but as soon as I started writing the first chapter, I knew I was hooked and there was nothing else I would rather do. If I didn’t write, I think I’d go crazy with all the characters and stories running wild in my mind.

What do you have with you at all times? My phone. I can check my email for submission news, cover art, interviews. And if I think of something I for one of my books, then I can make a note of it, write out a scene or brainstorm. I never go anywhere without my phone!

How long does it take you write a complete MS? The longest it’s ever taken was 10 months and that was for the very first book I ever wrote. Now if I’m motivated and have the time, I can write a full first draft of a book in 6-8 weeks. But I think I prefer to take a 3-4 months.

What do you want readers to take away from your books? I just want readers to feel they got a satisfying happily ever after. I don’t expect readers to like every detail of the book or the characters because that be impossible. But I hope that they always walk away feeling satisfied that reading my books was time well spent.

Every good writer must have a…: A great critique partner. I don’t know a single writer who doesn’t have someone read their work before they send it out to publishers or agents. I think you have to have a great person who you can trust to tell you the good and the bad about your book.

What is the writing/editing/publishing process like for you? I outline, write, set aside, edit, set aside again, reread, edit, beta/critique partner, edit, submit. Then I do whatever edits the publisher requests. I do a lot of editing. 🙂

Where do you see your writing career in five years? I see myself doing more of the same: trying to write the best books I can and producing a few of them a year. Hopefully I’ll have made the NY Times best seller list by then, but if not, I’ll still be trying!

What do you do to celebrate after having a MS published? After I finish a MS, I usually give myself permission to read all day while I should be writing. It’s a great break to read the words that someone else has painstakingly chosen.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects? I have a new book coming out with Entangled Publishing in 2014. I am also hoping to get working on the next books in the Falling Stars series. Maybe I’ll have a few of those done in not too long. After that, I’ll have to see what pops up in my mind!

Chapter One tease of “Lost Without You”

“Your first task is to find your site, set up camp with the gear provided, and survive your first night out in the wild. Tonight I’ll check in with each team to see how you’re doing. Teams, it’s time to get wild! The game officially begins now.”

Zoe watched quietly as the teams scrounged in their bags to find the maps that would lead them to their camps. A wave of relief came over her that this time she didn’t have to worry about strategy or getting along with the other contestants or any of the other things she’d had to worry about on the previous shows. This time, finally, she wouldn’t have to fear water challenges that threatened to remove her makeup in one splash. Sure, she’d always worn waterproof, but there was only so much it could withstand. She might have come across as calm and uncaring at the thought of going out on a canoe to grab a cache with Paige, Miles, and Ben, but on the inside, she’d been a quivering mess. At least this time all she had to do was show up, look pretty, smile, and read a few cue cards. No big deal.

“Ready to go?” Chip asked, motioning toward the trail all of the teams had now started down.

“Go where?”

“To the production camp.”

Zoe glanced around at the production trailers that looked pretty permanent by the park office. “Are the trailers going to meet us at the camp or are there some already waiting there?”

Just then a production person handed her a large backpack. The one she’d been told to pack. The one she thought she’d be unpacking soon into a nice chest of drawers in a cozy room somewhere.

Chip shook his head and looked worried for the first time ever in her memory. “Zoe, your job is to be near the contestants to host the show. The show takes place in the wilderness. The trees are too dense for the trailers and there are no nearby roads. I’m afraid the best you’re going to get for the next few weeks is a porta-potty and a private tent.”

Fear gripped Zoe. This couldn’t possibly be any worse. No bathroom with running water. No electricity. No cozy bed to curl up in each night.

“Let me guess,” she said through clenched teeth. It didn’t matter how cute Chip was, he could really be an annoying little shit when he wanted to be. “You’re staying here, right?” No way was Mr. Hot Shot Producer roughing it like she was being forced to.

“No, myself and a handful of other production people will be staying with you in a production base camp. We have tents and a little kitchen and even a couple of camping showers. Don’t worry, Zoe, you won’t be alone.”

“Oh, good, so there will be someone to hear me scream when I get eaten by a bear.” He laughed.

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Comments

Wonderful interview. I liked the author, just from ‘listening’ to her answer the questions on writing (and totally agree about the need for at least one critique reader – more is even better). Yes, writing is all about the editing, too, isn’t it? 🙂